Over the last few years the fashion industry fell in love with minimalism with clothing staples favoring neutrals, basics and clean tailoring to give off a quiet luxury look. It seems the Fall 2025 runway season made way for chaos, with bold prints dominating the runway. Patterns were everywhere this season and seemed to break from the basics and return to the colorful. 

The prints of this season are reinventions of past staples–polka dots, stripes, florals, plaids and animal prints. Leopard seemed to be an especially popular trademark of the 2025 fall season. Designers have transformed the classics into something more, evolving styles through pattern-mixing and bright colors.  

Ada Cobbs, a third year integrated language arts major and Vice President of Alpha Xi Delta, says the return of prints could be because the “rise in ‘traditional’ looks and values, so those who are acting out will not conform but rather go to the extreme opposite, such as maximalism.” 

Polka dots in particular are having a moment. While the traditional black-and-white are sleek, many brands chose to find brighter colors and varying sizes to make them feel new. While some love polka dots, others have found new avenues to express their style.

“I’ve been a polka dot girl since birth, so I’ve always been incorporating them into my outfits,” said Cobbs. I am currently on a stripe kick, which I can’t tell if it’s for professional reasons or trendy.” Designers like Christopher John Rogers elevated his striped runway looks with technicolor. 

Florals are another look that has been seen on-and-off the runway for decades, but this year there seems to be a twist that is a nod to the goth noir of the 90s. The flowers are seemingly oversized and lean towards moody reds and deep purples. Cobbs said their color for this fall season falls somewhere near a “nice, deep berry color.” Fashion seems to be heading away from the regular neutrals we’ve seen in recent years. 

Reminiscent of a true fall archetype, plaids are breaking out of their traditional molds. Plaids usually showcased with heritage tailoring and prep-inspired looks have become exaggerated this fall. Thom Browne’s collection shows plaid in bright colors and differing shapes, while Chopova Lowena has mixed layering of tartans with different patterns that creates a chic chaos look. 

The print of the season is without a doubt leopard, which never truly was out of fashion. “I love it because it is something I feel I can repurpose and still appreciate in the future,” said Cobbs. Leopard showed up on dresses, knitwear, tailored suits and accessories this runway season. Valentino and Fendi made leopard print their focus, making looks head-to-toe in the print. 

With prints being the mainframe of fashion for fall and winter 2025, the main way to include these in your wardrobe is through pattern-mixing. The idea of ‘clashing’ patterns may be a thing of a past this season. 

The revival of bold prints and patterns seems like a cultural shift. Minimalism and the quiet luxury aesthetics seemed to carry a sense of exclusivity. The push for patterns seems like a reach for freedom in fashion once again. 

“Honestly, I have to imagine that it comes from a lack of freedom and control in other areas, especially given the political climate a lot of women are facing,” said Cobbs. 

“I would say there has definitely been a pull toward prints and more expression in sorority life. Currently in are chunky, colorful glasses, kitten heels, non-traditional mini skirts and colorful tights,” said Cobbs.

After years of focusing on toning it down with the perfect basics, it seems like fall and winter may be the time to spice it up with some, or maybe every print.

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Hi! I’m Hannah Planey, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.